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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20260820T160000Z
DTEND:20260820T180000Z
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SUMMARY:AI in the Workplace
DESCRIPTION:AI isn't just for tech companies anymore it's already reshaping how businesses of every size operate\, communicate\, and compete. In this session\, Chris Eley will cut through the hype and bring AI down to earth\, showing real-world examples of how organizations are using tools like ChatGPT\, Microsoft Copilot\, Claude\, and other generative AI platforms to save time\, serve customers better\, and work smarter.\n\n \n\nWhether you're completely new to AI or already experimenting with it\, you'll walk away with practical takeaways you can actually use - from automating everyday tasks to improving your marketing and communications\, to knowing what to watch out for as these tools continue to evolve. No technical background required. Just an open mind and a willingness to see what's possible.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nBio:\n\nChris Eley is the Director of Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Strategy at Midland States Bank\, where he leads teams spanning data\, analytics\, automation\, custom development\, and AI - helping a community bank compete and innovate at a level typically reserved for institutions many times its size.\n\n \n\nBefore returning home to Effingham\, Chris spent the better part of a decade in the St. Louis market\, including nearly five years at World Wide Technology\, one of the nation's leading technology solutions providers\, where he partnered with Fortune 500 clients to deliver enterprise-grade technology at scale. \n\n \n\nToday he builds and deploys AI tools in production environments - from employee-facing AI assistants to intelligent automation systems changing how his organization operates day to day. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship.\n\n \n\nChris is passionate about making AI and technology practical and valuable for everyone - not just to engineers\, but to the business owners\, managers\, and everyday professionals actually running organizations. He lives in Effingham with his wife and two sons.\n\n \n\nPhoto & Video Disclaimer\n\nEffingham County Chamber (Chamber) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by the Chamber\, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. The Chamber may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced\, used\, or contracted by the Chamber\, including but not limited to brochures\, invitations\, books\, newspapers\, magazines\, television\, websites\, etc. If you do not wish to be photographed/video\, please inform the Chamber.\n\nAny person or organization not affiliated with Chamber may not use\, copy\, alter\, or modify Chamber photographs\, graphics\, videography\, or other similar reproductions and recordings without the advance written permission of an authorized designee from Chamber.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:AI isn'\;t just for tech companies anymore &mdash\; it'\;s already reshaping how businesses of every size operate\, communicate\, and compete. In this session\, Chris Eley will cut through the hype and bring AI down to earth\, showing real-world examples of how organizations are using tools like ChatGPT\, Microsoft Copilot\, Claude\, and other generative AI platforms to save time\, serve customers better\, and work smarter.
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\n\nWhether you'\;re completely new to AI or already experimenting with it\, you'\;ll walk away with practical takeaways you can actually use - from automating everyday tasks to improving your marketing and communications\, to knowing what to watch out for as these tools continue to evolve. No technical background required. Just an open mind and a willingness to see what'\;s possible.
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\n\nBio:
\n\nChris Eley is the Director of Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Strategy at Midland States Bank\, where he leads teams spanning data\, analytics\, automation\, custom development\, and AI - helping a community bank compete and innovate at a level typically reserved for institutions many times its size.
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\n\nBefore returning home to Effingham\, Chris spent the better part of a decade in the St. Louis market\, including nearly five years at World Wide Technology\, one of the nation'\;s leading technology solutions providers\, where he partnered with Fortune 500 clients to deliver enterprise-grade technology at scale. \;
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\n\nToday he builds and deploys AI tools in production environments - from employee-facing AI assistants to intelligent automation systems changing how his organization operates day to day. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship.
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\n\nChris is passionate about making AI and technology practical and valuable for everyone - not just to engineers\, but to the business owners\, managers\, and everyday professionals actually running organizations. He lives in Effingham with his wife and two sons.
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\n\nPhoto &\; Video Disclaimer
\nEffingham County Chamber (Chamber) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by the Chamber\, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. The Chamber may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced\, used\, or contracted by the Chamber\, including but not limited to brochures\, invitations\, books\, newspapers\, magazines\, television\, websites\, etc. If you do not wish to be photographed/video\, please inform the Chamber.
\n\nAny person or organization not affiliated with Chamber may not use\, copy\, alter\, or modify Chamber photographs\, graphics\, videography\, or other similar reproductions and recordings without the advance written permission of an authorized designee from Chamber.
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LOCATION:Koerner Distributor\, Inc. 1601 Pike Ave.\, Effingham
UID:e.1548.11433
SEQUENCE:3
DTSTAMP:20260729T220621Z
URL:https://business.effinghamcountychamber.com/events/details/ai-in-the-workplace-11433
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